Cloth Diapers versus Disposable? input please?

[meggabear]

Hi everyone!
I thought this would be a good thread to start since maybe others are wondering the same as me. My DH is majoring in environmental studies and has totally become more of a green person ( now if only he would remember to take out the recycling ) and wanting to be the green person he asked me what the difference was between cloth diapers versus disposable. In all honesty I had no idea aside from the material differences so I really wasn't able to tell him the benefits or cons. so I wanna ask the ladies who use cloth diapers versus disposable just how they are used and if they really are more effective, cost saving and easier to maintain versus the disposable it would really help alot.

 

[lexi88]

I used cloth with Theo for a year but now he older and im potty training him (tryin to) I not see no point in buyin more that fit him if he goin to be in pants soon (fingers crossed)

Cloth is great as ok its a big lump of sum of money u feel ur spending in long run u do end up saving money. You can get EXTRA cute nappies with funky patters,personalized ones etc. You never run out of nappies!

Its the washing them that I found long .. was annoying to let them build up to wash then dry .. I HATE washing and doin extra loads ANNOYED ME!

Disposable is easy. u just put it on them take it off few hours and out in the bin. your more likly find ur baby will get nappy rash more on disposable then cloth.

Cloth has gone a LONG LONG way
I use pockets ones where its just the same shape as disposables dont need to make no nappies up just put thick cloth in pocket, lay the paper under butt (to catch the doo doo) and put it on like a sposy.

Hope this made sence lol

 

[meggabear]

Its the washing them that I found long .. was annoying to let them build up to wash then dry .. I HATE washing and doin extra loads ANNOYED ME!


Cloth has gone a LONG LONG way
I use pockets ones where its just the same shape as disposables dont need to make no nappies up just put thick cloth in pocket, lay the paper under butt (to catch the doo doo) and put it on like a sposy.

so, have you ever had to throw away the clothes for being badly stained? and are they really thoroughly cleaned? do you have to wash them twice sometimes? lol, just so many questions

 

[lexi88]

Never had to do that as I used the liners to catch the doo doo and u flush that down the loo.
any leaks and they washed right out and funny enuff the tiny stains i would see when got out of W/M would be gone after the sun shining on them to dry.

never had to wash any twice as such but u can get detergent (sorry im crap at spellin ) build up so i put it in a rinse after with just water but that was like once a month.

 

[DottyLottie]

I invested in washables with my last LO, but made the mistake of buying the wrong ones. I bought One Life nappies, which are one size fits all and are supposed to last until LO is 2. It was ridiculous, they were HUGE on our newborn LO and we didn't start using them until she was 9 months old, even then they were too big to be comfortable on her. Huge waste of cash.

If you are going to buy washables, it is deffo sensible to read the reviews and check out what others are using, I only wish I had done that
Whatever you do, don't buy One Life nappies, they are great from 9-12 months, but before that, forget it, not cheap either, I think the so-called One Life pack which should have lasted from birth until 2 cost over £500.

 

[ellie27]

I think its really just a case of if you care enough about the environment and think cloth will help - I think it must do long term.

Cost - if you look for disposables when they are on offer and buy in bulk they can be cheaper in the long run but that depends on which cloth you go for as some can be a lot more expensive than others.

 

[meggabear]

Never had to do that as I used the liners to catch the doo doo and u flush that down the loo.
.

are the liners really easy to find, went out to babies r us and couldn't for the life of me find liners just to see what they were like.

 

[meggabear]

I think its really just a case of if you care enough about the environment and think cloth will help - I think it must do long term.

Cost - if you look for disposables when they are on offer and buy in bulk they can be cheaper in the long run but that depends on which cloth you go for as some can be a lot more expensive than others.

wow, I guess it just depends on if DH would want to learn on cloth versus diaper, I talked to him a little about this and as much as he wants to be green, he doesn;t want a big fuss of complication either, lol as he has NEVER changed a diaper before

 

[J_K_L]

I did a lot of research on this. I found that it's really up to what you prefer.

The money it costs to do the extra laundry (or diaper service), plus the cost of the cloth diapers is comparable to what you would spend for disposables.

Then in terms of the environment it's pretty comparable too. They have some biodegradable options for disposables. These impact the environment just as much as the increased water usage for cleaning the cloth diapers.

Go with what works for you. I found neither one had a great benefit over the other in terms of cost and being green.

 

[minties]

It's waaay better to use cloth nappies for the environment, but they do still have an impact on things. if you use a washing machine ( bugger cleaning them by hand!!) there is the electricity, very large water use, and the environmental impact from all the washing products (washing powder, any pre-treaters or soaking products).

I've opted for disposibles that are made from almost 100% unbleached paper based products. I will clean the poo off, and put the disposables into my recycling bin and they will be recycled, which makes me feel great.

I know they are a good working nappy already as my cousin who is 8 months old has worn them since birth.